17 Favorite Types Of Bread, Explained

This variation on whole grain bread—for which the seeds of the whole grain have already begun to germinate—has been picking up in popularity lately in health food circles as a healthier version of the (already-pretty-healthy) whole grain loaf. Whether or not it actually has these purported health benefits still remains to be seen, but we do know that it's a lovely, sugar-free alternative to most other breads. It's also easier to digest than those made from whole wheat grains.

Try it in this (very cheesy) air fryer grilled cheese recipe from Delish.

No, unfortunately, this isn't a bread made from Sprite or Coca-Cola. Instead, this traditional Irish staple is a variety of quick bread that uses baking soda and buttermilk to leaven the bread, a reaction that usually requires little to no rising time. This makes it a little more dense than your typical sandwich bread, but you'll find that soda bread has a perfectly aerated crumb that makes for a moist and crumbly bite. Yum!

Get creative with these Delish soda bread recipes.

How could we forget one of our favorite, most versatile breakfast foods? Originally made from just flour, water, and lard, this fun, circular, unleavened quick bread is a staple of North American cuisine, and can be used for nearly anything from chicken sliders to country ham sandwiches.

Try your hand at making our buttermilk biscuits yourself, or work canned biscuits into this amazing chicken bacon ranch bubble-up bake from Delish.

Unlike white bread, whole-wheat bread is made from flour that uses almost the entire wheat grain—with the bran and germ intact. This means more nutrients and fiber per slice! This bread is also great for sandwiches or, our personal favorite, egg in a hole.

Try it in avocado toast six ways from Delish.

Sourdough is a yeasted bread made from a starter, a.k.a. a fermented mixture of flour and water. Starters are living things and can make many batches of bread—plus they can be kept alive for a VERY long time! Because of its starter base, well-baked sourdough has a substantial crust with a soft, chewy center and large air bubbles. It makes a BOMB grilled cheese!

Try it in our cranberry Brie pull-apart bread.

Rye bread is made with a combination of bread flour and rye flour, giving it an assertive rye flavor and a tight crumb. Caraway or dill seeds are often added for an earthy flavor. Rye bread is also essential to deli classics like pastrami and corned beef sandwiches.

Try it cut into strips and toasted with this baked Reuben dip from Delish.

Originating in the Middle East, pita is a leavened flatbread made of wheat flour. They are cooked at high temperatures, causing the liquid in the dough to escape. This forms a large air bubble in the center, which becomes a pocket when cut in half—great for a hand-held falafel sandwich. They're also perfect for dipping when cut into wedges and toasted.

Try it with this easy homemade falafel recipe from Delish.

Focaccia is an Italian bread typically baked flat in a baking sheet or pan. The dough is similar to pizza dough, and is sometimes flavored with fresh herbs and garlic. A final coating of olive oil before baking gives it a distinctly delicate yet crunchy crust. Focaccia is often enjoyed on its own, but it's also great for dipping in soup and alongside meat and cheese—among other things!

Try it in this apple and sausage focaccia stuffing from Delish.

Brioche is a French bread made with eggs and butter. It's super light, with a tight crumb and subtle sweetness. It has a superbly soft crust that gets its golden hue from an egg wash, which is applied just before baking. Want to make the best French toast ever? Brioche is the way to go.

Try it in this peanut butter stuffed French toast from Delish.

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